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Monday, November 2, 2015

Tuning Up

Music has always been an important
part of my life.I started piano lessons
at a young age and for many years I followed in my mother’s footsteps serving
as an accompanist for various groups.I
have sung in different church choirs and cherish my high school madrigal group
experience as a favorite memory.

My piano “career” was enhanced by music
festival experience (high school) and a semester of private piano lessons (college).At this current stage of life Charlie and I
just enjoy “making music” together (Isn’t that what marriage is about… on many
levels?But, I digress). Charlie enjoys his flute while I “tickle the ivories”, playing at local nursing homes,
or just for our own pleasure.

A friend of ours asked us to join her
and another musical friend for several local Christmas music “gigs”. We gathered
around our piano the other day; I began to play and instantly realized it was
time to call the piano tuner!Each of the other instruments was ok on its own but with the piano….it
was obvious something was off.

Being in tune touches other
areas of life as well.Several years
ago, when I was serving on our church’s deacon board, our pastor asked all the
board members to come up to the front
during a Sunday morning worship service.Pastor Steve had discerned that our congregation would benefit from
seeing a visual picture of the “many” being of one mind.I loved his word picture.He compared us to a symphony orchestra…each
of us unique, but together…. in unity… for the glory of God as we used our varied
gifts and personalities to move the church forward in a single mission.

I once had an interesting question
posed by a friend during a small group Bible study: he asked why Christians had
such a hard time agreeing on different points of Scripture.I believe, this side of heaven, due to our
limited (spiritual) vision, it would be virtually impossible for all to agree
on every point of God's Word.

But how exciting it is to know that
God can still use His church… us…His people…to show the world what it looks
like to have harmony and unity in
spite of our differing perspectives.When we adopt an “it’s not about me” attitude; when we prayerfully
discern what is “a hill to die on and what is not”; when we invite the Holy
Spirit to lead us; when we stand firm on non-negotiable's without rancor; when
we “guard the Truth” per 2 Timothy, chapter 1...then, as the song goes,
“they will know we are Christians by our love.”

My challenge is for all who are part
of the body of Christ: let us show this contentious, argumentative, battle
weary world what it looks like to live in peace, to sing in harmony, to be in tune
with each other and to maintain unity even as we celebrate our unique God given
gifts, passions and experiences.

“Finally, all of you, have unity of
mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”I Peter 3:8 (ESV)